Mission

Inspiring innovation and excellence among digital journalists to better serve the public

The Online News Association is composed largely of professional digital journalists from around the globe. Founded in 1999, ONA now has more than 2,500 professional members whose principal livelihood involves gathering or producing news for digital presentation. The membership includes news writers, producers, designers, editors, photographers, technologists and others who produce news for the internet or other digital delivery systems, as well as academic and student members and others interested in the development of online journalism. ONA also sponsors an annual conference focusing on the latest in journalism and technology and administers the prestigious Online Journalism Awards.

Our Vision

ONA is a leader in the rapidly changing world of journalism; a catalyst for innovation in storytelling across all platforms; a resource for journalists seeking guidance and growth; and a champion of best practices through training, awards and community outreach.

Our Values

We believe that the internet is the most powerful communications medium to arise since the dawn of television. As digital delivery systems become the primary source of news for a growing segment of the world’s population, it presents complex challenges and opportunities for journalists as well as the news audience.

Editorial Integrity: The unique permeability of digital publications allows for the linking and joining of information resources of all kinds as intimately as if they were published by a single organization. Responsible journalism through this medium means that the distinction between news and other information must always be clear, so that individuals can readily distinguish independent editorial information from paid promotional information and other non-news.

Journalistic Excellence: Online journalists should uphold traditional high principles in reporting original news for the internet and in reviewing and corroborating information from other sources.

Freedom of Expression: The ubiquity and global reach of information published on the internet offers new information and educational resources to a worldwide audience, access to which must be unrestricted.

Freedom of Access: News organizations reporting on the internet must be afforded access to information and events equal to that enjoyed by other news organizations in order to further freedom of information.